San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-19
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1887.
NO APOLOGIES FOR TEXAS XIV
KLUx.

The Austin Statesman discounts
everything In Texas In Its attempt to
fling discredit upon the investigation
into the Ku Klux outrages In Washing
ton county, this state. Its falsifying
headlines say what Its telegraphic re-
ports do not justify. Instead Of blush
ing for the good name Of the state, thus
jeopardizsd because the state authnri-
ties could not, or would not, answer the
agonized cry for relief, which was
promptly heard and UNDECIDED at Aus
tin, the Statesman shows its partloipa-
tlon In the spirit Of those outrsges by
becoming the apologist Of those who
committed them. The assertion that
the United States senate is pushing
its enquiry beyond the original inten-
tion and design" might be misleading
in any other journal, the animus of which
was less generally known. The part Of
the Statesman 10 this matter Is only
worthy Of comment as representing a
disposition in certain circles to discredit
the fact Of election outrage and intimi-
dalton In this state. The eye of pollti-
cal vision is blinded ana this at
tempted Justification of such blindness
only makes the matter worse.
Caesars wife must not only be above
criminality, but above suspicion as well.
1t is not enough that the people and
journals Of the south repudiate all at
tempts to stuff ballots and shoot voters;
they must be above suspicion of such
things II they would expect and receive
such influx Of capital and settlers from
the north as will aid her in putting all
her vast productive machinery and en-
ergies into operation. Texas cannot af-
ford q suspicion to rest upon the free
dom of speech and the freedom of her
ballot box. The impression created by
the Statesman, in circles where it is not
known, might create the impression
that the democratic journals in Texas
were apologlzing for the acts of certain
unruly democratic individuals in Wash
ingtOn county on the third of last No
vember. The good judgment aad love
Of fair play Of the great body of the
democratic party in Texas does not
sanction any snoh lawlessness as was
perpetrsted in Washington county at
the late state election. 1t is very much
to be regretted that the executive OF
this state did not, as requested, make in
quest into that matter and relieve the
state from the odium which has at
tsched to the acts Of few irresponsible
individuals. By refusing to investigate
the democratic executive of this state
has made the state a party to the injus-
tice, violence and murder charged. This
certainly Is not justice to the state. 1t
places her In the very worst light pos-
sible before the judgment OF the nation
and makes her particeps criminis in the
acts OF those who stole the ballot boxes
and murdered the negroes who defended
them. The Statesman by throwi con-
tempt upon the ordered Investigation
proclaims to the world, II its voice could
reach beyond the capitol walls, that this
state does not care for the purity Of it's
ballot nor how many men are murdered
In defending it, ifthe injury does not fall
upon democratic candidates for office.
This sentiment is a libel upon the honest
democracy of the state, and from it the
LIGHT. though republican journal, is
most anxious to see the good name Of
the Texas democracy fully purged.